Freedom to be: late winter training to terrapin 50k-- Springing forward full of gratitude

I'm so completely excited that today is the vernal equinox!!
Im so completely filled with hope and enthusiasm for 2013 spring and summer. I'm really enjoying training, feel I'm in a good place with it, balancing running, work, family obligations. I've had some amazing long runs since holiday lake ( and some fleetly tempo runs and hill repeats) and I'm just feeling strong. Excited for the journey that will lead to me Old Dominion 100 on June 1st. I have many many adventures planned the next couple months, so training for OD is going to be VERY FUN:)

I really have been trying to INTENTIONALLY and PURPOSEFULLY focus my energy in a positive direction this past week. Remind myself daily of all the things in my life I have to be thankful for.. there are so many! My wonderful kids and family that loves me and cares for me, my friends that I run with---
I love all the communities I'm lucky enough to be apart of: Ultrarunning, local road running scene, my yoga friends, my Pilates friends, my golf friends, my mtn sports family. My coach, Eric Grossman --thank you for saving me from myself. I am always messing up my running, and he patiently tweaks my training here and there to get me back on track. YOURE THE BEST:)

Sophie: who is just one TOUGH DIRT CHICK, and I really aspire to be more like each day. She leads such a FULL life-- but always makes time for me when I need advice whether it be about life or training, and has welcomed me into her home so many times the past couple months. even on thanksgiving-- she fed me the most amazing meal. :) Love you, sis!! xoxo

I'm so extremely appreciative to Salomon for being so good to me, being supportive of my racing, Sponsoring CTR10k aug 10th, and giving me the freedom to plan some cool events to expose more runners in Southwest Va and Northeast TN to their awesome shoes and gear. Everytime I go to put on my new Salomons they sent me, I feel like doing the happy dance. Thanks for being so nice to me, Uber group and Josh/ salomon running. This is a good company guys, go buy their shoes!! :)
I'm also very thankful to be on the GU crew. Gu Energy Labs is fueling my training, recovery and hydration. I have to say Ive been really happy utilizing Gu brew recovery drinks and the Gu brew electrolyte tabs. ( they taste SO GOOD and I feel really work just as well as comparable products on the market-- I was surprised to be honest-- didnt' think I would find something other than nuun-- but I really do like them better)

Next race up for me is Terrapin Mtn 50k this weekend. I'm just ready. Ready to go run hard and HAVE A BLAST in the mountains. This was my first 50k in the LUS series in 2010, part of terrapin is on the hellgate course, and Clark Zealand is the RD ( I LOVE MMTR and GRINDSTONE too) , this is just homecoming for this gal. "Clark" races are special. "horty" races are too ( love ya horton!) . But Clark races just have this chill laid back vibe pre and post race that just really resonates with me. THANK YOU, Clark for all that you do. I know RDing an ultra requires so much work and preparation and it's a labor of love. Thank you for providing these high quality, extremely organized FUN events for us.

okay-- YOU GUYS: Please think positive thoughts, prayers, vibes, energy for me as I go run Saturday morning. I really need it, and it would mean SO much to me!! :)
without further adieu: here are some pictures of what I've been up to since holiday lake:

Marlin Yoder and I on the Grindstone Course when we ran a loop of The White Oak Trail with Sophie

Sophie being her lovely self

View of the mtns from Old FS 84 in the hurricane section of Mt rogers

I LOVE my S Lab Advanced skin 12 hydration pack. I have pretty much carried everything: nathan, ultimate direction, ultra spire, and this pack is by far the nicest. SO many cool features other packs just dont offer.

I have been running alot in S Lab 5 soft ground. really love these shoes. very comfortable, 8mm drop heel, listed as stability shoe, but SO cushy. it's a nice ride running in them.